Wayne's world — Westner wants to bring golf to the masses with simple invention

Wayne Westner was one of the most talented players in the world, winning the 1995 Dubai Desert Classic and 1996 World Cup of Golf with Ernie Els. not to mention another 11 Sunshine Tour events in his native South Africa. He's also a man with a great passion for the golf swing.

The downturn was tough for big resorts such as spectacular Mount Juliet in Co Kilkenny but things are changing at the Jack Nicklaus designed track which has taken on Waterford native Kevin Phelan as its touring professional.

When John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote "With a Little Help from My Friends" they probably never have imagined it would become one of the biggest sellers of all time. Now, after a four-year desert trek without a title sponsor, it turns out that the combination of Rory McIlroy, The Irish Open and his superstar pals was a heady enough cocktail to attract Dubai Duty Free as title sponsors for what could become one of European Tour's greatest hits.

Scheduling reality kicks in for Harrington — tough phone calls ahead

On Monday Pádraig Harrington was on such a high following his Honda Classic comeback win that he insisted he'd honour his commitments and take up four sponsors invitations in a row before playing in the Masters. Now he's not so sure.

Els and Garcia added to star-studded Irish Open field

With precisely 100 days to go until this year’s Irish Open hosted by The Rory Foundation, two more legends of the game – four-time Major-winner Ernie Els and Ryder Cup talisman, Sergio Garcia – have become the latest superstars to add their names to what is fast becoming one of the strongest fields in the tournament’s recent history, writes the European Tour.

Notebook: Tiger and DJ for RCD? Alliss for BBC bow at St Andrews?

Given his battle against the "yips" or whatever mental block is causing him the short game horrors, the rumour mill has begun to whirl once more over a potential appearance by Tiger Woods in May's Irish Open at Royal County Down.

Royal County Down promises sellout Irish Open but "uncertainty" looms over Irish government golf strategy

Rory McIlroy might be box office but the Irish Open still needs a commitment from the Irish Government to ensure that event builds on the momentum of what promises to be an 80,000 sell out at Royal County Down next May.

The European Tour is keeping its fingers crossed that the drawing power of Rory McIlroy and world No 9 Rickie Fowler — with the promise of more big names to come — will boost the chances of ending the long wait for a title sponsor for the Irish Open.

Golden boy McIlroy to host and sprinkle The Irish Open with stardust

His mere presence is a gilt-edged guarantee but the news that the Rory McIlroy Foundation is to host the Irish Open at Royal County Down next May coverts the golden boy into the King Midas of Irish golf.

2016 looks too soon for Irish Open return to Fota Island

Fota Island’s massive success as an Irish Open venue is no guarantee that the event will return to the Cork resort in 2016 with the Chinese owners keen to reap the benefits of last week's hugely successful staging.